Page 15 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
It would be all right — it had to be. This was her priority now. Not the past. Not… She paused mid-step, bringing her thoughts up sharp. Not Sam. He was in the past and would have to stay right there, where he belonged. She had no time for idle fantasies about what might have been. She had a reality to deal with that she couldn’t walk away from.
She didn’t call out immediately, enjoying the sight of them crouched side by side, focussing intently on something. Liam knelt on the wet sand, his hand scooping through the water. Kate stood over him, her hand resting across his shoulders. It warmed Jen’s heart to see their newly forged connection.
A squawk of seagulls disturbed by Jen’s approach made Liam look up. He scrambled to his feet holding a shell up high for her to see.
‘Mum! Look what I’ve found. And Gran says there are loads of others living under the sand. And just cos you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re not there, and we have to respect them and care for them.’
Jen bobbed down beside him and examined what he held in his hands, despite having zero interest in it. What she really wanted wasn’t to hear about the life cycle of the pipi, but to swing him around in the bright New Zealand sun and revel in their release from hell. But she didn’t. Not yet. It was too soon to celebrate.
Between showing Liam around the beach and the house, the day had passed quickly. As Jen washed up, she half-listened to Liam and her mother talk while they played cards at the kitchen table. He’d eaten well and seemed calm and content. Usually, he would cling to her and follow her closely, silently watching what was going on around him. It made her heart ache to think about it. But here he seemed surprisingly settled.
She glanced out the window. ‘I’ll bring in the washing,’ she called.
‘Right-oh.’
After Jen had unpegged the clothes, she rested the basket on the table and went and looked over the gate at the sea. The tide was out, exposing the long stretch of sand. The sun was low, about to dip behind Kapiti Island, which lay a few kilometres offshore. But for now, the sun’s rays flooded the sands with amber light; the stream which crossed the sands was like a golden river flowing out to sea.
Long moments passed as she gazed at the scene before her. She was held captive by the way the golden light bled up into the raspberry clouds, hovering over the distant horizon where the tip of the South Island lay. An unfamiliar sensation filled her — so fragile she barely dared breathe.
At the back door, basket in hand, recognition finally came to her. Peace. She huffed a laugh. When had she last felt that?
‘Where’s Liam?’ she asked as she came inside.
‘Upstairs.’ Kate finished filling the kettle and flicked on the switch. ‘He was yawning like mad, so I suggested he get ready for bed.’
Jen’s eyebrows shot up. ‘By himself?’
‘No,’ said Kate. ‘I took him there. He was a bit reluctant, but I left him to clean his teeth. He seemed OK with that.’
‘Right,’ said Jen, unable to hide her surprise.
‘Something the matter?’ Kate asked, eyeing her thoughtfully.
‘No, it’s just…’ Jen sighed. ‘Just that he usually likes me close to him. All the time.’
‘And why is that?’ pressed Kate gently.
Jen put down the basket of dry laundry ready to fold. ‘I’ll tell you after I’ve read him a story.’
‘I’ll have a cup of tea waiting.’
‘I might need something stronger.’
‘Lucy will be here soon. I’ll text her and ask her to bring a bottle of wine around.’
‘No need!’ said a voice from the hallway, followed by the bang of the front door closing. ‘I’m here already, and’ — she stepped into the kitchen holding a bottle aloft — ‘I bring wine. Mum said you’re making your famous spaghetti bolognese.’ She placed it on the table and hooked her bag over the chair. ‘How come the front door’s locked?’
‘Is it?’ asked Kate, looking at Jen.
‘Yes. I locked it. Sorry, but if we’re going to stay here, we’re going to have to tighten up on security.’
Kate turned a worried look at Lucy, whose eyes widened in surprise. ‘For real?’
‘Yes, absolutely.’
‘Then,’ said Kate, rising to gather some snacks, ‘that’s what we’ll do. We’ll go shopping tomorrow and get whatever we need to make you feel safe.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ said Jen, relieved her mother didn’t ask questions.
